Microbots “Swim” to Bust Blood Clots

Roto Rooter had this idea first, but then it was clearing sewer drains and this is about cutting through arterial plaque or blood clots. Researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia have developed a minimally invasive technique described as this: “The microswimmers are essentially just chains of iron oxide beads strung together. Using an external magnetic field, they are made to rotate around the main axis, causing them to swim in one direction. Rotating the magnetic field can oscillate the entire microdevice, pointing it in any direction before setting it to move forward. The length of the chains defines the force with which the microswimmers can push against an occlusion, while different surface properties can be developed to appropriately attack the plaques causing a blockage. See the cool VIDEO. MORE